Ceanothus

This genus of shrubs is native primarily to the west coast with the majority of species in California and then Oregon. We love ‘Wild Lilacs’ as they are sometimes called for several important reasons.

They represent excellent climate adaptation. Almost all are native to winter wet/summer dry conditions. They thrive in our climate with little intervention from the gardener. Flowers: blue- no other shrub comes close to the display of blue flowers housed in this genus. The most blue cultivars and species hail from central and northern California and have been grown in our region for eons. Fast growing and extraordinarily drought tolerant they cruise through our dry summers with no visible signs of stress. In fact they loathe the combination of wet/warm soils. So no summer water is advised.

They range from large shrubs to ground covers and are useful in a host of situations. Full sun and average well drained soil including clay soils on slopes. They even fix nitrogen with their roots which means they earn their own lunch. Lifespan: typically they live on average 10 years but for the ground cover types which persist quite a bit longer. They make ideal plants for new gardens as they grow rapidly and even years after their demise the soil beneath them remains enriched, loose and friable. A great place to grow tomatoes.

We have introduced several varieties of Ceanothus thyrsiflorus native from Lane county Oregon to Santa Barbara County California and we’re always on the search for more Oregon cultivars. Water them until you see them start growing in earnest and then taper off. And then only the water that falls from the sky. To prune, tip prune after blooming to resize, encourage density. Usually it is not necessary. The size of Ceanothus is completely dependent on the fertility of the soil. Rich soil HUGE poor soil restrained. They make wonderful urban shrubs- tolerant of extreme reflected heat as well as hot dry places.

Big and arching evergreen shrub that becomes an unbelievable sea of ultramarine blue flowers in April. To 8′ x 8′ very quickly in full sun and well drained soil. Amenable to clay if unwatered in summer. Once established NO summer water at all. Grows quickly to its ultimate size give it room. Leaves burn below about 12ºF but recovery is rapid in spring and seldom sacrifices blooms.

One of the cold hardiest blue flowered cultivars and one of the earliest to bloom as well. An open spreading shrub with prickily deep green leaves. In March/April the whole shrub is obscured in violet blue clouds of flowers. Its amazing. To 6′ x 6′ quickly in any well drained soil with little to no summer water. One of the toughest cultivars that also takes very well to pruning which should be done after blooming to increase density if needed. Take blasting reflected heat and is great in hot urban situations. Moderately deer resistant. Cold hardy to 0ºF- useful in the coldest gardens.

A UK selection of our own west coast native wild lilac. And they did a good job. Large mounding evergreen shrub that puts on a spectacular display of deep blue flowers for nearly all of April into May. Fast growing to 5′ x 7′ very quickly in average well drained soil. Little to NO summer water. This cultivar has HUGE trusses of scintillating blue flowers. The largest of any Ceanothus that we grow- the reason why it is such a brilliant plant in bloom. Loved by pollinators of all kinds and especially tempting to large black and yellow bumble bees. Prune after blooming if you need to re-size the plant. Good cold hardiness. Best in a hot aspect. Good job to our friends in the UK.

We’ve been impressed with this extraordinarily deep blue flowered Wild Lilac released by Suncrest Nursery. A fine textured deep green evergreen shrub to 4′ x 8′ and forming a graceful cascading dome. Profuse cobalt blue flowers appear for 2-3 weeks in April. Extremely drought tolerant shrub for full sun and average to poor well drained soil. Little to no summer water required. Locate out of the path of subfreezing gorge winds. One of the most graceful and showiest of the genus.

This is a Willamette Valley native form of Buckbrush. Found throughout the southern half of the state well into California. A large, angular evergreen shrub with small deep green paddle shaped leaves. In April the whole shrub is swarmed with pure white flowers. Fast growing incredibly tough shrub for areas of intense drought and reflected heat. To 8′ x 8′ very quickly in any soil that does not become boggy. Excellent performance in tough urban situations. Irresistible to bees and butterflies. Extremely cold hardy to below 0ºF. No summer water. Moderate deer resistance.

For cold gardens this is an excellent cultivar and its a version of a species native to the Willamette Valley south into California. Small green wedge shaped evergreen leaves on an arching, somewhat angular shrub. In April and May clouds of soft violet blue flowers swarm the whole shrub. Beautiful. To 7′ x 7′ very quickly in poor to average well drained sites. No summer water once established. Handsome at all times. Excellently adapted to rough urban life where compacted soils, reflected heat and little water is present in summer- thrives in all those conditions. Full sun. Easy. Oregon Native Plant.

The glory of this large, wild evergreen shrub occurs in April when the branches are awash in deep violet blue flowers.The darkest hue among this species. A fast growing very large shrub to 8′ x 12′ wide in time. Excellent for wild uncultivated areas. A handsome spreading deep green evergreen of great drought tolerance. Tolerates most soils that never become boggy. Good cold hardiness to 5ºF. No summer water when established. Loved by bees and butterflies. Takes well to pruning. Blooms on wood from the previous year, prune if needed after blooming. Tolerates part shade. Blooms best in full sun.

This is by far the lowest growing ground cover Ceanothus that we grow and in commerce in general. The completely prostrate evergreen with deep green glossy prickly leaves forms a dense ground cover in full sun and well drained sites. In March button shaped clusters of light blue flowers foam above the foliage. Loved by early butterflies and bees. To just 6″ tall and spreading to 4′ wide. Moderately fast growth. Tolerates some summer irrigation. Best on hot sunny slopes. Winter damage (below 10ºF) recovers quickly in spring and does not sacrifice blooms. Trailing stems will root where they hit the ground. Excellent candidate for erosion control. Great performance at the Oregon Coast.

The most popular ground cover Ceanothus and an important plant in our climate. Evergreen ground cover shrub that covers the ground densely. In March the entire plant is smothered in light violet blue flowers. Stems root where they touch the ground making it a valuable erosion control. Full sun to light shade in any well drained soil. Excels on steep slopes. To 10″ tall and 3′ wide very quickly. Plant on 3′ centers for a fast dense ground cover. Excellent performance in Hellstrips. Little water once established. Moderate deer resistance.

Easily one of the showiest wild lilacs commonly grown in our climate. Tiny almost black/green foliage is completely covered by masses of foamy deep cobalt blue flowers for several weeks in April. One of the showiest cultivars. Fast growing evergreen shrub to 6′ x 6′ in three years. Full sun and average, well drained soil. Light consistent water to establish then none. Site out of subfreezing east wind which will not kill it but can burn it badly. Easy, spectacular, fast, west coast native shrub.

Greg and I found this distinctive form of Coast Blue Blossom in the wild. It has smaller deep green leaves and huge trusses of soft turquoise flowers in late April to early June. A tall growing tree/shrub that attains heights of 15′ very quickly if allowed. This drought tolerant native takes very well to pruning too- which should be done after blooming. Full sun and average well drained soil- including clay soils. Little to no summer water when established. Excellent for use as an instant screen or informal hedgerow. Pretty in the background of dry borders. Loved by bees and butterflies in bloom. Very easy to grow native evergreen shrub that should be used more. Oregon Native Plant.

A very good wild lilac with flowers as deep blue as any and great glossy dark, evergreen foliage. Not as big as Concha it is a large shrub none-the-less. To 5′ x 7′ and spreading. In April to May masses of intense cobalt blue flowers open from showy red buds. Amazing floral display that draws bees and pollinators from 5 counties around. Full sun and average to poor well drained soil. No summer water when established. Hardy to 5ºF and any winter damage that occurs (below 10ºF) recovers quickly and still blooms prolifically in spring. Excellent for no-water wild areas, for large hellstrips, sunny hillsides. The roots fix nitrogen and though its lifespan is but 10 – 12 years on average it enriches the soil in a wonderful way. Great shrub for a new garden. Avoid subfreezing wind.

Possibly the darkest blue flowering cv that blooms in the summer. This hybrid is technically supposed to be deciduous but for us it never has been. Large panicles of cobalt blue flowers erupt from the current seasons growth in June to July. Remove spent flowers and more may follow. To 5′ x 3′ in average to enriched soil with REGULAR summer water. Good drainage. Easy to resize as it blooms on new wood, it may be cut to as low as 18″ in early spring. Black seed capsules follow the flowers and persist until birds relieve them of their seeds in autumn.